Door basket for refrigerator

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a door basket for a refrigerator provided on a rear surface of a refrigerator and for receiving the food. According to the present invention, there is provided a basket main body having a predetermined receiving space formed therein. In addition, a guide holder is detachably installed on the basket main body. A guide bar for supporting a side of food received in the receiving space is coupled rotatably about the guide holder. Also, an elastic member is provided in one side of the guide bar to exert an elastic force on the guide bar to be spaced apart from an upper end of the basket main body by a predetermined distance. According to the present invention, the guide bar can be easily installed to the basket main body without deformation of the basket main body. When the guide bar is installed, the guide bar supports the food received in the receiving space in a state where the guide bar is spaced apart from the basket main body by a predetermined distance. However, when the food is received in the receiving space or taken out of the receiving space, one side of the food pushes down the guide bar and passes through the guide bar, so that the food can be easily taken in and out.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a door basket for a refrigerator provided on a rear surface of a refrigerator and for receiving food.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A door basket for a refrigerator according to a prior art is illustrated in FIG. 1.

As shown in the figure, protrusions 13 are formed to vertically extend on both sides of a rear surface of a door 10 of a refrigerator. A plurality of door baskets 20 are provided on the rear surface of the door 10 between the protrusions 13.

A basket main body 21 of the door basket 20 is formed to laterally extend in a rectangular hexahedron shape with an upper side opened, and a receiving space 21 s for receiving food is provided in the basket main body 21. Fixing holes 21 a are formed on upper ends of both side walls of the basket main body 21, respectively.

The door basket 20 is provided with a guide bar 25. The guide bar 25 serves to support the food received in the receiving space 21 s of the basket main body 21. The guide bar 25 is formed by bending a metal bar having a certain diameter several times.

A supporting portion 26 of the guide bar 25 is spaced apart upward from upper ends of both the side walls and a front wall of the basket main body 21 by a predetermined distance, and thus serves to substantially support the food received in the receiving space 21 s of the basket main body 21.

Also, fixing portions 27 are provided on both end portions of the supporting portion 26, respectively. The fixing portions 27, which are portions corresponding to both ends of the guide bar 25, are bent perpendicularly to the supporting portion 26. Lower end portions of the fixing portions 27 are inserted into fixing holes 21 a of the basket main body 21, respectively.

However, the door basket for a refrigerator according to the prior art has the following problems.

According to the prior art, the guide bar 25 is inserted into the fixing holes 21 a formed on the basket main body 21, thereby being installed thereto. Thus, there is an inconvenience that the fixing holes 21 a should be selectively formed in the basket main body 21 according to the necessity of the guide bar 25.

Meanwhile, in order to support the received food, the guide bar 25 is provided to be spaced apart upward from the basket main body 21 by a predetermined distance. Accordingly, there is a disadvantage in that the guide bar 25 interferes with the operation of taking in and out the food, thus causing a user inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a door basket for a refrigerator configured to be capable of achieving component commonality.

Another object of the present invention is to provide to a door basket for a refrigerator configured to more easily take in and out food.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the objects, there is provided a door basket for a refrigerator, comprising a basket main body having a predetermined receiving space formed therein; a guide bar installed rotatably about an upper end of one wall of the basket main body, the guide bar supporting food received in the receiving space while being spaced apart upward from an upper end of the basket main body by a predetermined distance; and an elastic member exerting an elastic force on the guide bar such that the guide bar can be spaced apart upward from the upper end of the basket main body by the predetermined distance.

The door basket may further comprise a guide holder detachably installed to one side of the basket main body, the guide holder supporting the guide bar rotatably about the upper end of the one wall of the basket main body.

Preferably, the guide holder has an insertion groove formed in a lower end thereof to be fitted into the upper end of the one wall of the basket main body, whereby the guide holder is detachably installed to an upper end of the one wall of the basket main body.

The guide bar may comprise a catching portion formed in a shape corresponding to an edge of an upper end of a front wall of the basket main body, connecting portions perpendicularly bent from both ends of the catching portion and corresponding to upper ends of both side walls of the basket main body, and coupling portions perpendicularly bent from ends of the connecting portions in a direction in which the coupling portions face each other to be inserted into coupling holes formed in both side ends of the guide holder, the coupling portions being rotatable about the coupling holes, whereby the guide bar is rotated upward and downward with respect to the guide holder.

Preferably, the elastic member is a torsion spring installed on the coupling portion and having both ends respectively fixed to the connecting portion and a fixing hole formed on the guide holder, and the guide bar is arranged to be inclined upward toward a front end of the basket main body by an elastic force generated from the torsion spring thereby supporting the food received in the receiving space.

The door basket may further comprise a spring cap formed with a seating groove, in which a portion of the coupling portion and a portion of the connecting portion adjacent to the coupling portion are seated when in a state where the coupling portion is inserted into the coupling hole, thereby covering the torsion spring.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door basket for a refrigerator, comprising a basket main body detachably installed to a rear surface of a refrigerator door and having a predetermined receiving space formed therein with an upper side opened; a guide holder detachably provided on an upper end of a rear wall of the basket main body; a guide bar being rotatable about the guide holder and selectively supporting food received in the receiving space; and an elastic member for supporting the guide bar to be spaced apart from an upper end of the basket main body by a predetermined height.

Preferably, an insertion groove, into which the upper end of the rear wall of the basket main body is fitted, is formed in a lower end of the guide holder to extend in its lengthwise direction; coupling holes, into which both ends of the guide bar are rotatably coupled, are formed in both side surfaces of the guide holder; and a fixing groove, to which one end of the elastic member is fixed, is formed in one of the side surfaces of the guide holder.

The guide bar may comprise a catching portion, which is formed in a shape corresponding to an upper end of a front wall of the basket main body, and to which an upper end of food received in the receiving space is caught in a process of taking out the food; connecting portions perpendicularly bent from both ends of the catching portion rearward and corresponding to upper ends of both side walls of the basket main body; and coupling portions perpendicularly bent from ends of the connecting portions in a direction in which the coupling portions face each other and inserted into the coupling holes.

Preferably, the elastic member is provided on one of the coupling portions, one end of the elastic member is inserted into the fixing groove of the guide holder and the other end of the elastic member supports a lower end of a portion of the connecting portion adjacent to the coupling portion, whereby the connecting portion is inclined upward toward the upper end of the front wall of the basket main body and the catching portion is spaced apart upward from the upper end of the front wall of the basket main body by a predetermined height.

More preferably, the elastic member is a torsion spring exerting an elastic force on the connecting portion for the guide bar to be rotated upward about the coupling portion.

Still more preferably, the door basket further comprise a spring cap provided for enclosing the coupling portion and an upper end of the connecting portion adjacent to the coupling portion to cover the torsion spring, the spring cap being rotated together with the guide bar.

According to the door basket for a refrigerator of the present invention so configured, there are advantages in that the component commonality can be achieved and the food can also be easily taken in and out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a door basket for a refrigerator according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a door basket for a refrigerator according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the embodiment shown in FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 4 a to 4 c are views showing that the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a door basket for a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The preferred embodiment of the door basket for a refrigerator according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in the figures, protrusions 53 are provided on both sides of a rear surface of a refrigerator door 50. The protrusions 53, which vertically extend, are formed by causing a door liner 51 defining an external appearance of the rear surface of the door 50 to protrude rearward by a predetermined height.

Also, a plurality of support platforms (not shown) are provided on the rear surface of the door 50 to be spaced apart upward and downward from each other at predetermined intervals. Similarly to the protrusions 53, the support platforms are also formed by causing the door liner 51 to protrude by a predetermined height. At this time, the support platform is designed to have the protruding height smaller than that of the protrusion 53. Each of the support platforms is provided on the rear surface of the door 50 between the protrusions 53 to laterally extend.

In addition, a plurality of door baskets 60 are provided on the rear surface of the door 50. The door baskets 60 are detachably installed on the rear surface of the door 50. A basket main body 61 of the door basket 60 is formed to laterally extend in a hexahedral shape with an upper side opened. Also, a receiving space 61 s for receiving food is provided in the basket main body 61.

When being installed on the rear surface of the door 50, the basket main body 61 has both side walls brought into close contact with inner side surfaces of the protrusions 53, respectively, and a bottom wall of the basket main body supported by an upper surface of the support platform. Catching grooves (not shown) are formed in the inner surfaces of the protrusions 53 and catching protrusions (not shown) are provided on both the side walls of the basket main body 61 in closely contact with the inner surfaces of the protrusions, so that the door basket 60 is detachably installed on the rear surface of the door 50.

In the meantime, a guide holder 63 is provided on an upper end of a rear wall of the basket main body 61. The guide holder 63 is detachably installed on the upper end of the rear wall of the basket main body 61. The guide holder 63 is formed to extend in its lengthwise direction. At this time, it is preferred that the guide holder 63 be designed to have a length relatively smaller than the lateral length of the basket main body 61.

Also, an insertion groove 63 a is formed in the guide holder 63. The insertion groove 63 a extends in the lengthwise direction of the guide holder 63. The insertion groove 63 a causes a lower portion and both sides of the guide holder 63 to be opened. A portion of an upper end of the rear wall of the basket main body 61 is inserted in the insertion groove 63 a.

In addition, coupling holes 63 b are formed in both the sides of the guide holder 63. Coupling portions 68 of a guide bar 65, which will be described below, are coupled with the coupling holes 63 b. The coupling holes 63 b are formed in the upper portions of both the sides of the guide holder 63 corresponding to the upper side of the insertion grooves 63 a.)

The guide bar 65 is rotatably installed to the guide holder 63. The guide bar 65 is rotated upward and downward about the guide holder 63 with respect to the basket main body 61, thereby selectively supporting the food received in a receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide bar 65 is formed by bending a metal rod having a predetermined diameter several times. The guide bar 65 comprises a catching portion 66 corresponding to a front wall of the basket main body 61, connecting portions 67 corresponding to both the side walls of the basket main body 61, and the coupling portions 68 inserted into the coupling holes 63 b.

The catching portion 66 is formed to have a shape corresponding to the upper end of the front wall of the basket main body 61. In this embodiment, the catching portion 66 is formed to be inclined upward from both sides toward the center. The catching portion 66 is spaced apart from the upper end of the front wall of the basket main body 61 by a predetermined height to support the food received in the receiving space 61 s.

The connecting portions 67 are formed to be perpendicularly bent from the catching portion 66 rearward. In addition, the connecting portions 67 are installed to be inclined upward toward the front wall of the basket main body 61.

The coupling portions 68 are perpendicularly bent from rear ends of the connecting portions 67 to face each other. The coupling portions 68 are inserted into the coupling holes 63 b, whereby the guide bar 65 is supported rotatably with respect to the guide holder 63.

In a state where the food received in the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61 is supported by the guide bar 65, the connecting portions 67 are located to be inclined upward from the coupling portions 68 toward the front of the basket main body 61. At this time, the catching portion 66 is spaced apart from the upper end of the front wall of the basket main body 61 by a predetermined distance.

In such a state, in order to take the food out of the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61, the guide bar 65 is rotated downward about the coupling portions 68. The rotation of the guide bar 65 will be continued until the catching portion 66 is brought into close contact with the upper end of the front wall of the basket main body 61.

Meanwhile, a torsion spring S is provided on one of the coupling portions 68. The torsion spring S exerts an elastic force on the guide bar 65 to keep the guide bar 65 to be spaced apart from the upper end of the basket main body 61 at the predetermined distance. That is, the torsion spring S exerts the elastic force on the guide bar 65 in a direction in which the connecting portions 67 are rotated upward about the coupling portions 68.

Accordingly, if the force exerted on the connecting portions 67 while taking the food out of the receiving space 61 s, i.e., the external force exerted for rotating downward the connecting portions 67 about the coupling portions 68 is removed, the guide bar 65 is maintained in its initial state, i.e., a state where the connecting portions 67 are inclined upward toward the front of the basket main body 61 with respect to the coupling portions 68.

One end of the torsion spring S is inserted into a fixing hole 63 c formed in one of both the side surfaces of the guide holder 63. Further, the other end of the torsion spring S is fixed to a side of the corresponding connecting portion 67 adjacent to the associated coupling portion 68. In the illustrated embodiment, although the torsion spring S is provided on only one of the coupling portions 68, the torsion springs S may be provided on the coupling portions 68, respectively.

A spring cap 69 is provided for covering the torsion spring S. The spring cap 69 is formed in an approximately “L” shape, and formed with a seating groove 69 in which a portion of the corresponding coupling portion 68 and a portion of the connecting portion 67 adjacent thereto are seated. In this embodiment, the spring cap 69 is formed so as to enclose the portion of the coupling portion 68 and the portion of the connecting portion 67 adjacent thereto, and is rotated together with the guide bar 65.

Hereinafter, a process of using the preferred embodiment of the door basket for a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 4 a to 4 c show a process of using the preferred embodiment of the door basket for a refrigerator according to the present invention.

Firstly, as shown in FIG. 4 a, in a state where food, for example, a beverage bottle B is received in the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61, the guide bar 65 is arranged to be inclined upward toward the front of the basket main body 61. In more detail, the connecting portions 67 of the guide bar 65 are arranged to be inclined upward toward the front of the basket main body 61, and the catching portion 66 of the guide bar 65 is spaced apart from the upper end of the basket main body 61 by a predetermined distance. As describe above, the beverage bottle B received in the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61 is supported by the guide bar 65. Accordingly, when the door 50 is opened or closed, the guide bar prevents the beverage bottle B received in the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61 from escaping from the receiving space inadvertently.

In the meantime, in order to take out the beverage bottle B received in the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61, as shown in FIG. 4 b, the beverage bottle B is caused to be inclined upward toward the front of the basket main body 61. At this time, a cap of the beverage bottle B is hanged on the catching portion 66, so that a force is exerted on the catching portion 66 to overcome the elastic force of the torsion spring S. Accordingly, the catching portion 66 is pushed down by the beverage bottle B, so that the guide bar 65 is rotated downward about the coupling portions 68. At this time, the guide bar 65 is rotated until the catching portion 66 is brought into close contact with the upper end of the front wall of the basket main body 61.

In a state where the guide bar 65 is rotated downward with respect to the basket main body 61, the beverage bottle B received in the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61 can be easily taken out of the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61 as shown in FIG. 4 c.

Then, once the beverage bottle B received in the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61 is completely taken out, the external force by which the guide bar 65 is rotated downward is removed. Accordingly, the guide bar 65 is rotated upward again by the elastic force of the torsion spring S and restored to it initial position.

In the meantime, a process for receiving the beverage bottle B in the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61 is performed in reverse order of the process of taking out the beverage bottle B. That is, the beverage bottle B is laid down to be inclined downward such that a lower side of the beverage bottle is directed to the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body, so that the guide bar 65 is rotated downward by the beverage bottle B.

Next, the beverage bottle B is erected such that a bottom surface of the beverage bottle is seated on a floor surface of the receiving space 61 s. In this state, an external force exerted on the guide bar 65 is removed, the guide bar 65 is restored to it initial position by the elastic force of the torsion spring S, and then, serves to support the beverage bottle B received in the receiving space 61 s of the basket main body 61.

The guide bar 65 performing the above function in the present invention is detachably installed to the basket main body 61 by the guide holder 63. That is, the coupling portions 68 of the guide bar 65 are inserted rotatably into the coupling holes 63 b of the guide holder 63. In addition, the torsion spring S is inserted into the fixing hole 63 c of the guide holder 63 to exert an elastic force on the guide bar 65. The guide holder 63 rotatably supporting the guide bar 65 is installed on the basket main body 61 by causing the upper end of a rear wall of the basket main body 61 to be fitted into the insertion groove 63 a. Accordingly, the guide bar 65 may be selectively installed on the basket main body 61 together with the guide holder 63, if necessary. This causes the design change of the basket main body 61 for installing the guide bar 65 not to be required.

According to the door basket for a refrigerator of the present invention, the following effects can be expected.

First of all, according to the present invention, the guide holder rotatably supporting the guide bar is detachably installed to a basket main body. Accordingly, since the guide bar can be selectively installed to a basket main body, the basket main body can be used without classification according to the installation of the guide bar. As a result, the component commonality can be achieved, thereby improving the workability.

Also, in a process of taking out the food received in the receiving space of the basket main body or receiving the food in the receiving space of the basket main body, the guide bar is rotated upward and downward with respect to the basket main body. Accordingly, the food can be more easily taken in and out of the receiving space of the basket main body, thereby obtaining the effect of the increased usability.

It will be apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes thereto within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Therefore, the true scope of the present invention should be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims. 

1. A door basket for a refrigerator, comprising: a basket main body having a predetermined receiving space formed therein; a guide bar installed rotatably about an upper end of one wall of the basket main body, the guide bar supporting food received in the receiving space while being spaced apart upward from an upper end of the basket main body by a predetermined distance; and an elastic member exerting an elastic force on the guide bar so that the guide bar can be spaced apart upward from the upper end of the basket main body by the predetermined distance.
 2. The door basket as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a guide holder detachably installed to one side of the basket main body, the guide holder supporting the guide bar rotatably about the upper end of the one wall of the basket main body.
 3. The door basket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide holder has an insertion groove formed in a lower end thereof to be fitted into the upper end of the one wall of the basket main body, whereby the guide holder is detachably installed to an upper end of the one wall of the basket main body.
 4. The door basket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide bar comprises a catching portion formed in a shape corresponding to an edge of an upper end of a front wall of the basket main body, connecting portions perpendicularly bent from both ends of the catching portion and corresponding to upper ends of both side walls of the basket main body, and coupling portions perpendicularly bent from ends of the connecting portions in a direction in which the coupling portions face each other to be inserted into coupling holes formed in both side ends of the guide holder, the coupling portions being rotatable about the coupling holes, whereby the guide bar is rotated upward and downward with respect to the guide holder.
 5. The door basket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a torsion spring installed on the coupling portion and having both ends respectively fixed to the connecting portion and a fixing hole formed on the guide holder, and the guide bar is arranged to be inclined upward toward a front end of the basket main body by an elastic force generated from the torsion spring thereby supporting the food received in the receiving space.
 6. The door basket as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a spring cap formed with a seating groove, in which a portion of the coupling portion and a portion of the connecting portion adjacent to the coupling portion are seated when in a state where the coupling portion is inserted into the coupling hole, thereby covering the torsion spring.
 7. A door basket for a refrigerator, comprising: a basket main body detachably installed to a rear surface of a refrigerator door and having a predetermined receiving space formed therein with an upper side opened; a guide holder detachably provided on an upper end of a rear wall of the basket main body; a guide bar being rotatable about the guide holder and selectively supporting food received in the receiving space; and an elastic member for supporting the guide bar to be spaced apart from an upper end of the basket main body by a predetermined height.
 8. The door basket as claimed in claim 7, wherein an insertion groove, into which the upper end of the rear wall of the basket main body is fitted, is formed in a lower end of the guide holder to extend in its lengthwise direction; coupling holes, into which both ends of the guide bar are rotatably coupled, are formed in both side surfaces of the guide holder; and a fixing groove, to which one end of the elastic member is fixed, is formed in one of the side surfaces of the guide holder.
 9. The door basket as claimed in claim 8, wherein the guide bar comprises a catching portion, which is formed in a shape corresponding to an upper end of a front wall of the basket main body, and to which an upper end of food received in the receiving space is caught in a process of taking out the food; connecting portions perpendicularly bent from both ends of the catching portion rearward and corresponding to upper ends of both side walls of the basket main body; and coupling portions perpendicularly bent from ends of the connecting portions in a direction in which the coupling portions face each other and inserted into the coupling holes.
 10. The door basket as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elastic member is provided on one of the coupling portions, one end of the elastic member is inserted into the fixing groove of the guide holder and the other end of the elastic member supports a lower end of a portion of the connecting portion adjacent to the coupling portion, whereby the connecting portion is inclined upward toward the upper end of the front wall of the basket main body and the catching portion is spaced apart upward from the upper end of the front wall of the basket main body by a predetermined height.
 11. The door basket as claimed in claim 10, wherein the elastic member is a torsion spring exerting an elastic force on the connecting portion for the guide bar to be rotated upward about the coupling portion.
 12. The door basket as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a spring cap provided for enclosing the coupling portion and an upper end of the connecting portion adjacent to the coupling portion to cover the torsion spring, the spring cap being rotated together with the guide bar. 